There are so many moving parts behind the scenes at a wedding, and someone has to keep everything in order. If you’re having your reception at a hotel or event space, that person is the banquet captain. Never heard of them? Well, let us introduce you to your new wedding BFF.

Who They Are

The banquet captain is employed by your venue to serve as the point person the night of your event. Their job is to make sure any large-scale event runs flawlessly. They’re front-facing, which means they’ll be visible to your guests during the reception—though they’ll most likely be stealthily watching from the shadows. They’re also in charge of the evening’s floor staff, so any servers, bussers, or bartenders answer to the banquet captain.

What They Do

A banquet captain is present for all of the key moments of your wedding reception. They’re present for setup, lending a hand and serving as an extra pair of eyes even if you have a full-service wedding planner. The banquet captain will be there to help make sure the linens are straight, all the centerpieces are actually centered, the napkins are folded as you requested, and every chair is placed just so. Once dinner starts, they keep service moving quickly. They’ll make sure the servers are dressed properly, understand the evening’s menu, and serve with a smile. If a table needs a refill on drinks, the buffet is running low, or a guest has a request, your banquet captain will relay the needs to the appropriate person to make sure everything is taken care of. And if there’s any sort of issue, such as an inebriated guest or a fight, your banquet captain will be the one to step in and handle it.

If you’re “in” with the banquet captain, your relationship with the servers will follow. You should expect great service no matter what, but bonding with the banquet captain means they’ll feel a personal connection to your event. Your banquet captain also knows every in and out of your venue. Not sure if the table arrangement you’ve chosen will work in the space? Your banquet captain can tell you if they’ve done it before. Wondering which appetizer you should nix from the menu? Your banquet captain has tasted it all, and can point you toward the chef’s specialties.